GOSHEN — One would think that a team that went on a 31-0 run in high school boys basketball would probably go undefeated.
If true, the 2025 Goshen men’s basketball team will be the next to add its name to the roster. South Bend Washington was held scoreless for eight minutes in the second and third quarters as the Goshens defeated the visiting Panthers 85-51 in their home opener on Friday at Interra Gym.
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The Redhawks trailed 26-17 with 5 minutes left in the second quarter, but went on a 31-0 run to take a 48-26 lead with 5 minutes left in the third quarter. Easily took out the Panthers.
“That’s when we started,” Goshen head coach Michael Wolford said of the start of the run, which came after a timeout that created a defensive possession and forced Washington into trouble. “We keep the ball to one side, let someone catch the ball and then [South Bend guard Michael Stuckey] Having to give it up and others who are less comfortable doing what they have to do. I mean, when you’re playing with guys who are running up and down the floor and rotating quickly, you have to be adept at making quick decisions, and I don’t think they feel comfortable doing that. “
Levi Sawatzky scored a Redhawks-high 24 points and only scored five points in the middle two quarters. Carter Marcum had a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
Sawatzky hit three consecutive three-pointers in the second quarter to expand Goshen’s lead, and his firepower was strong. It must be shoes
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“We had to change his shoes,” said Wolford, who added that Sawatzki changed his shoes after he slipped a few times late in the first quarter. “He slipped a few times and was a little frustrated.”
“He’s explosive,” Wolford said. “He can do that. That’s a big key for us.”
At halftime, the Singers led 40-26, and when the horn sounded, they went on a 23-0 run.
Goshen extended its lead early in the third quarter before a basket by Washington’s Nehemiah Wheeler ended a 31-0 cruise-control run that had gone more than eight minutes without a point on the scoreboard.
Goshen opens its season Tuesday at Mishawaka Marian Stadium after its season opener against Fairfield was postponed to Jan. 6. Goshen defeated the Knights 51-41, ending an eight-game losing streak to Marian. It was Wolford’s first win over the Cavaliers since 2016, his first season as head coach.
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South Bend spoiled the Redhawks’ first few minutes on the hardwood at home this season, taking a 7-0 lead before Goshen’s Sawatzky hit a floater in the lane for his first home point of the 2025 season.
Savatsky’s shot helped the home team launch a 9-0 run. It was the senior who gave Goshen its only lead of the first quarter when he hit a corner 3-pointer to give the Redhawks a 9-7 lead. Washington’s Stuckey responded quickly, and South Bend led 17-13 after the first quarter.
Stuckey scored 10 points in the first quarter and 17 before Goshen came out strong in the second quarter.
“We have to get the ball out of Stuckey’s hands,” Wolford said. “He was very good at it. We couldn’t stop him one-on-one, so we started running guys around him. He doesn’t like the pass very much, but he can score. We took the ball out of his hands, so our rotations were very effective. Guys defended the rim and then got a lot of deflections.”
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After falling behind big time, Wolford cleared the bench and allowed them to have some fun. Nathan Corbin took advantage of the opportunity and scored 13 points – 10 in the final quarter.
“Nathan Corbin is a really good shooter,” Wolford said. “He didn’t hesitate, he knew he was a good shooter. I was happy to get him 10 minutes tonight because he deserved it.”
Goshen shot 30 of 58 from the field and 9 of 25 from beyond the arc. The Redhawks shot 16-for-24 from the free throw line. The scoring was Savatsky (24), Marcum (13), Corbin (13), Braxton Kline (8), Ryan Diaz (8), Evan Timmons (7), Trenton Clark (6), Carter Diaz (3) and Bryson Wilson (2).
Washington shot 20 of 55 from the field and 6 of 23 from deep. The Panthers are 11-3 from the charity stripe. Leading the scoring list are Stuckey (25), Rodney Milligan (5), Wheeler (4), Alion Gordon (3) and Jayden Lineberry (2).
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Goshen (2-0) will travel to Northside Arena to face county rival Elkhart on Tuesday. The Redhawks will have 10 days off before their opener against Northridge on Saturday, Dec. 20. Game ends at 7:45pm
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Prep Men’s Basketball
SB Washington – 17; 9; 9; 16 – 51
Goshen – 13; 27; 24; 21 – 85
JV scores: Goshen beats SB Washington 60-32